Mar 24, Colombo: The members of the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine have emphasized that the cultivation of cannabis for the production of Ayurvedic drugs in Sri Lanka is appropriate.

This was stated at a meeting between the members of the Advisory Committee of the Ministry and Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne.

Members of the committee have pointed out that they are unable to find ingredients for the production of Ayurvedic drugs locally.

The Health Minister has stated that a project proposal has been submitted to the cabinet for the cultivation of Cannabis for the production of Ayurvedic drugs.

The Minister has pointed out that it is possible to cultivate cannabis by using military personnel.

The Minister of Health has said that many countries in the world have taken steps to cultivate cannabis and pointed out that foreign exchange can be obtained through the cultivation of cannabis for the production of Ayurvedic drugs.

Growing cannabis has been proposed as an alternative to providing relief to the farmers who will be inconvenienced by the ban on tobacco cultivation that will go into effect in 2020.

The Minister also pointed out that there are lands suitable for cultivating herbs for Ayurvedic drugs in the North Central and Northern Provinces and the Ayurvedic drugs produced in those areas can be purchased by the Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation.